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Patented June 6, I899.

J. A. RAMSEY. COPY BOOK AND CGVER.

(Application filed Max. 31, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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UNTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. RAMSEY, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR TO THE CRANE & COM- PANY, OF SAME PLACE.

COPY-BOOK AND COVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 626,441, dated June 6, 1899.

Application filed March 31 1899.

To a whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES A. RAMSEY, residing at Topeka, in the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Easel Copy- -Writing Portfolios; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in copy-books or writing-portfolios, the object being to provide in a neat and compact structure a copy-book the cover of which is formed of three sections hinged together, the middle section forming a bed on which the writing-paper is supported when the book is in use, one of the end sections being constructed to form an easel to support the copy and adapted to fold over onto the writingpaper and the other end section being pro vided with a blotter on one face and adapted to be folded over to bring the blotter in contact with the writing-paper to take up surplus ink thereon or to fold over onto the easel-section when the latter is folded down on the writing-paper, and thus serve as a cover to the easel-section to protect it against injury.

The invention will be fully described in the following specification and its novel features clearly defined in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved copy-book in position for use, a part of the easel-section of the cover being broken away to show the supportingleg. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the easelsection folded down on the writing-paper and the blotting-section in its open position. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the copy-book in its closed position.

Similar reference nu merals represent similar parts in the several figures.

1 indicates the writing-paper, of which a suitable number of sheets will be provided and attached to the cover in an y suitable manner to permit the sheets to be separately removed. As shown in the drawings, the paper is secured to the cover by two cords 2, pass- Serial No. 711,269. (No model.)

ing through openings in the paper and cover. The openings in the paper are close to the top edge of the sheets, and those in the cover are formed in the middle and easel sections close to their junction. The ends of the respective cords are tied together, and the cords are sufficiently loose not to interfere with the free opening or closing movement of the easel-section.

The cover consists of three sections, (indicated, respectively, by 3, 4, and 5,) the end sections 3 and 5 being hinged, respectively, to opposite edges of the middle section 4B in any suitable manner. The section 3 is provided with a piece of blotting-paper 6, which may be secured to it in any suitable manner and will preferably be of the same size as the sheets of writing-paper, so that when folded over onto the paper it will take up surplus ink from any part of the paper.

The sections 3 and 4. may consist simply of tough heavy paper; but it will be necessary to form the section 5 of cardboard or other suitable material of sufficientstifiness to form an easel. A leg 7.is formed in this section by making a cut 8 of suitable shape and bending out the part included within the out, and preferably a strip of textile material 9 will be secured to the leg and section 5 at their j unction to reinforce the hinge-joint.

To the inner face of the section 5 an open rectangular frame 10 is secured by any suitable means in such manner that a series of cards or sheets of paper 11 may be freely insorted between the opposing faces of the frame and the section 5. These cards are intended to have written, printed, or otherwise formed thereon the matter to be copied, and this matter will be exposed to view in the opening in the frame.

Preferably reinforcing-strips of textile fabric will be secured to the sections at all the folding-joints, as indicated at 12, and a short ribbon 13,, of suitable material, will also preferably be secured to the leg 7 and section 5 to prevent the leg from spreading out too far.

When the copy-book is to be used, the sec: tion 3 will be folded back until it lies flat on the desk or other support, and the blotting paper will then be exposed. The section 5 will be turned up until it passes somewhat beyond the vertical and the leg 7 pulled out to support it, and the matter to be copied will then be exposed to the user in a very advantageous manner and position. It is obvious the blotter may easily be folded over onto the writing-paper to take up surplus ink when necessary. When folded up, the easelsection is between the sections 3 and 4:, and the section 3 thus serves as a cover for that side of the section 5 from which the leg 7 projects and effectually protects it from accidental injury, such as injury to the leg 7, which might easily occur if it were exposed, for it will be liable to project somewhat beyond the face of the section 5 after being used.

Having described the invention, 1 claim 1. As a new article of manufacture, a copybook comprising a cover consisting of three sections hinged together, sheets of writingpaper secured to the cover to be supported on the middle section of the cover, one of the end sections having a hinged leg to support said section in an inclined position to form a copy-supporting easel, and the other end section having a blotter secured to it and being foldable over onto the writing-paper to remove surplus ink, or over onto the easel-section, when the latter is folded on the writingpaper, to form a cover and protection for the easel-leg, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a copybook comprising a cover consisting of three sections hinged together, sheets of writingpaper secured to the cover to be supported on the middle section of the cover, one of the end sections having a hinged leg to support said section in an inclined position to form an easel, and having also an open frame secured .to its face opposing the writing-paper and adapted to receive copy-cards and expose the copy in the opening in the frame, and the other end section having a blotter secured to JAMES A. RAMSEY.

I Witnesses:

WALTER WARE, RAY BROWN. 

